To the Editor:
The strength of a community is measured by how its leaders respond when the most vulnerable residents state their needs. In Encinitas, that measure is currently falling short.
Recent actions by our City Council regarding the appointment of Steve Houbeck to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) raise a fundamental question: What do residents do when their local government turns a deaf ear to their concerns?
Mr. Houbeck’s appointment is problematic on two fronts. First, he possesses no documented history of advocacy for our urban canopy. More concerning, however, is his ample, well-documented history of public misconduct.
Social media posts from Mr. Houbeck have targeted SDUHSD Superintendent Dr. Staffieri, EUSD Superintendent Andre Grey, the Black Student Union leaders of Canyon Crest Academy, and EUSD Trustee Marlon Taylor. These are not merely “differing opinions”; they are targeted attacks against those fostering inclusion in our schools.
For five consecutive City Council meetings, members of the Encinitas West African Dance community and their supporters have appeared in force to share their pain and demand Mr. Houbeck’s removal. They have rightly pointed out that this appointment — and the council’s subsequent silence — violates the Title VI resolution adopted by the city in August 2019, which commits Encinitas to an equitable environment free from discrimination.
Despite these persistent pleas, the City Council has retreated behind a wall of silence. It has not returned emails, nor has it addressed these concerns during public comment. This dismissive attitude suggests that the Council no longer feels accountable to the very residents it represents.
At the March 26 UFAC meeting, Mr. Houbeck attempted to frame his actions as a “learning opportunity” caused by “brevity” and “confusion.” This is a hollow and inflammatory justification. Public service is a privilege, not a right. It requires a baseline of respect for all community members.
When a city official with a history of attacking Black community leaders is appointed to represent the public interest, trust is eroded. When the City Council refuses to acknowledge the harm caused, it validates that erosion.
The Coast News recently reported on a disturbing incident in which an 11-year-old Black student was verbally and physically assaulted by her peers in Carlsbad. Such hateful behavior does not emerge from a vacuum; it is modeled.
If our City Council does not hold Mr. Houbeck accountable, the message is crystal clear: Privileged individuals can target marginalized groups with impunity, regardless of the long-term psychological damage caused.
Encinitas deserves a government that stands by its own resolutions against discrimination. Until then, we will continue to show up, speak out, and demand the accountability we were promised.
Theresa Beauchamp
Encinitas
2 comments
Ayers is Beauchamp’s husband and author of the mendacious hit piece against Mayor Ehlers before last election. While Houbeck’s opinions are disgusting, so are the Beauchamp/Ayers attempts to label Ehlers “MAGA” – no matter how nonexistent the supposed link. It’s a fact that Ehlers, like D1 council member Blackwell, turned NPP; in Ehler’s case it was in reaction to Trump’s first nomination ten years ago. In Blackwell’s case she’s declined to comment.
Watch for Beauchamp/Ayers to ratchet up their “MAGA” false claims against Ehlers the closer we get to this year’s election, in the absences of actual issue discussion.
They do this instead of acknowledging the many true improvements Ehlers has led in policy, personnel, and projects compared to the Blakespear and Kranz years. (Note another cyclist downed this week in Blakespear’s Cardiff “cycle trap” su-called improvement.
I’ve only seen one person defend Mr. Houbeck. That same person did so again on NextDoor telling us to “let this one go”. When the West African Dance Community, our high school district superintendent, the members of the black student union of Canyon Crest Academy High School and those celebrating Black History Month say it’s time to “let go” then it will be time. Telling someone when to walk away from a personal insult is rubbing salt in the wounds. Mr. Houbeck’s statement to the 10 people at the UFAC meeting was shallow and insulting. I was there. The only sincerity it showed was his effort to preserve his dignity at the expensive of others. It is not over for Mr. Houbeck nor for the Mayor who remains silent.